all of stature, of slender make, and rather thin,
but the symmetry of his body was beautiful. His complexion was not very
brown, merely approaching to that of the inhabitants in general. The
hair of his head was not very long, excepting where it hung thickly down
over his ears, which were quite hidden by it. His black beard, though
thin, looked handsome. His countenance was rather of an elongated form,
but cheerful; and his fine eyes had the expression of love or severity,
at the proper moments. He was particularly clean in his person, and took
a bath every evening. Besides a number of concubines, who were all
daughters of persons of rank and quality, he had two lawful wives of
royal extraction, whom, however, he visited secretly without any one
daring to observe it, save his most confidential servants. He was
perfectly innocent of any unnatural crimes. The dress he had on one day
was not worn again until four days had elapsed. In the halls adjoining
his own private apartments there was always a guard of 2000 men of
quality, in waiting: with whom, however, he never held any conversation
unless to give them orders or to receive some intelligence from them.
Whenever for this purpose they entered his apartment, they had first to
take off their rich costumes and put on meaner garments, though these
were always neat and clean; and were only allowed to enter into his
presence barefooted, with eyes cast down. No person durst look at him
full in the face, and during the three prostrations which they were
obliged to make before they could approach him, they pronounced these
words: "Lord! my Lord! sublime Lord!" Everything that was communicated
to him was to be said in few words, the eyes of the speaker being
constantly cast down, and on leaving the monarch's presence he walked
backwards out of the room. I also remarked that even princes and other
great personages who come to Mexico respecting lawsuits, or on other
business from the interior of the country, always took off their shoes
and changed their whole dress for one of a meaner appearance when they
entered his palace. Neither were they allowed to enter the palace
straightway, but had to show themselves for a considerable time outside
the doors; as it would have been considered want of respect to the
monarch if this had been omitted.

Above 300 kinds of dishes were served up for Motecusuma's dinner from
his kitchen, underneath which were placed pans of porcelain filled with